[Transcript]  Mosaic News - 6/18/09: World News From The Middle East

Presenter, Man # 1
The Iranian reform opposition held a peaceful demonstration in Tehran and declared today a national mourning day. The spokesman for the Guardian Council announced today that three presidential candidates who lost the elections: Mir Hossein Mousavi, Mehdi Karrubi and Mohsen Rezaei have submitted grievances pertaining to the elections in which they listed 646 violations. The Guardian council also will meet with these presidential candidates on Saturday to look into their grievances.

Reporter, Woman # 1
These Images could have been censored, but these protestors managed to convey what is happening in Iran to the world using their cellular phones. These images have found their way out of Tehran though the internet in defiance of the Iranian ban on the media. These images became hot commodities used by all the Western news agencies and even some Iranian ones. Media coverage of the events in Iran is no longer exclusive to news broadcasted by Iranian national television. Images of sabotage at Tehran University, which killed 4 students at the hands of the Basiij forces, have created wide spread controversy. These images were taken with cell phones and leaked from Iran via the internet. The images have compelled the Iranian Defense Minister to issue orders for investigating this attack. Other similar images showed Basij forces using iron bars and sticks and sometimes guns to attack demonstrators before security forces arrive to the scene. This angered former president Muhammad Khatimi who submitted a protest to the National Security Council. Supporters of the opposition leader Mir Hossein Mousavi are now dressed in black to mourn the dead before the anticipated speech of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Seham Zamush, Al Arabiya.

Reporter, Man # 2
Protests in Tehran and other Iranian cities continue and so does the arrest campaign against supporters of the reformist candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi. The arrests even reached the first foreign minister of the interim government that was established by Ayatollah Khomenei after the Islamic revolution and the collapse of the Shah in 1979. Ibrahim Yazdi, the Secretary General for The Liberation of Iran movement was arrested at Fars hospital along with 15 other members of the banned organization. Other political activists who have been critical of government policies towards the protestors including a minister, and other prominent officials who served in the government of former president Muhammad Khatemi have also been arrested. As Iran’s Mosques are filled with people dressed in black, mourning the people who were killed during the demonstrations, Mir Hossein Mousavi delivered a strong message to Iran’s National Security Council warning about the activities of members of the police intelligence dressed in civilian clothes who have been brutally assaulting young male protestors. Mousavi and former president Khatimi delivered a joint message to the head of the Judiciary system demanding justice and the release of detainees. They pointed out that security forces and those wearing civilian clothes are attacking citizens’ homes and assaulting them. Protestors at night yell God is great to express their protests. A number of university schools submitted their resignation to express their strong opposition to attacks against university dorms. According to Amir Kaber University’s news cast in Tehran, Students were kidnapped and assaulted in a prison inside the ministry of interior. The Iranian authority demanded that University students go home until test time, and held them responsible for any harm they may be subjected to if they decide to go against the warning. The crisis continues as Tehran and other cities witness continued demonstrations. Everyone is waiting for Friday to come when the Supreme leader will give his speech after the Friday prayers. Najah Muhammad Ali, Al Arabiya.

Presenter, Female #1
The post-election situation in Iran is still raging, with the capital bracing for more protests in the upcoming days. Iranian cities are expected to witness more protests today, amidst speculation over what Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, will have to say tomorrow during Friday’s sermon. Meanwhile, the Iranian Guardian Council of the Constitution scheduled a hearing on Saturday for the candidates alleging vote fraud. The council said they have presented nearly 646 vote violations. Ashaman Khury reports.

Reporter, Female #2
This scene here will soon change, as new information keeps coming, fluctuating between relative calm and violent protests. Meanwhile, defeated Iranian presidential candidate Mir Hossein Mousavi called for a new public rally, urging protestors to wear black clothing in mourning of those killed in the protests. Mousavi also urged people to gather in mosques and hold peaceful protests in the streets. Mousavi, who previously called for a vote recount, is now demanding new elections. A position that is not being shared by the Supreme Leader of the Republic, Ali Khamenei. Kahmenei asked Mousavi to take the proper legal steps in contesting the elections. He also urged the Guardian Council of the Constitution to review all complaints and conduct a partial vote recount if deemed necessary. Meanwhile, all eyes are focused on tomorrow, when the Supreme Leader of the Republic addresses Friday’s congregation, amidst speculation that he will call for calm. Will his speech be the deciding factor, or will the series of demonstrations continue?

Presenter, Female #1
Iran's Foreign Ministry has summoned a group of European envoys and charge d'affaires to Tehran in protest over what it described as “blatant interference in Iran’s internal affairs.” Among the envoys summoned was the Swiss ambassador, who represents the U.S. interests in Tehran. Tehran also condemned the “malicious stance” of the Presidential Council of the European Union regarding the Iranian elections. Joining us from Tehran is our correspondent, Reda al-Basha. Reda, how is the situation on the ground behind the picket line separating Mousavi’s supporters from the republican guards?

Guest, Male #1
Sua’d, the situation has been calm over the past few days, following the death of 7 people in the “million people march,” which was organized by Mousavi’s supporters. The Iranian streets are now witnessing peaceful demonstrations, with most of the protests ending before dark. At night, the phrase:” God is great!" can be heard from rooftops in several areas, in an attempt by Mousavi’s supporters to avoid taking to the streets at night. The reason is to prevent splinter groups from turning a peaceful rally into a violent confrontation with the security forces and antiriot police. During the past few days, we have not seen any clashes erupting between the two sides. Also, we have not seen chaotic scenes spilling over onto the streets of the Iranian capital of Tehran. This comes amidst calls by the defeated presidential candidate, Mir Hossein Mosavi, for restraint and calm. Mousavi also called on his supporters to hold peaceful protests. In addition, Mousavi called on his supporters not to resort to violence, which could spark confrontations with the security forces.

[Summary]

Defeated presidential candidate, Mir Hossein Moussavi’s headquarters in Northern Iran has denounced the riots that that took place after the results of the presidential elections were announced. The headquarters says that the rooters are not the members or supporters of Moussavi’s camp. The headquarters has said that Moussavi’s camp has questioned the election results, but has supported peaceful protests.

Iran’s Government is claiming that enemies are behind the riots, and are sending protestors out to damage public property. It also says that the enemies are using foreign, as well as anti-Iran media outlets to create doubts over the results of the election. The government has called on security forces to take strong action against the rioters.

Presenter, Male #1
Twenty two people, including a Mogadishu police chief, were killed and 9 others wounded in clashes that erupted in the Somali capital. According to a Somali security source, the police chief was killed during clashes that erupted between government forces and armed fighters in Mogadishu. The source added that both sides used heavy artillery and assault weapons in the clashes.

Reporter, Male #2
The sounds of gunfire can be still heard most of the day in the Somali capital of Mogadishu. Meanwhile, sporadic clashes continue to erupt between the government forces and armed opposition groups. According to witnesses, more than 10 Somalis, including a Mogadishu police chief, have been killed in renewed clashes in the capital.

Guest, Male #3
They took refuge in this place when a mortar shell fell, killing them. The shell fell over the house, killing five people. Another person was also killed in the surrounding area. All of the people killed were civilians.

Reporter, Male #2
This is part of the daily life of Mogadishu, where each day, some one is either killed or displaced due to the ongoing fighting. Many say that the intensity of fighting has subsided since the first days of battles started last month. More than 250 people were killed, hundreds of others were wounded, and thousands were displaced in last month’s fighting. The situation is still far from cooling off, as the images of death, blood, and destruction are still commonly seen in the streets of Mogadishu. Amidst reports confirming that Somali mediation efforts are nearly deadlocked, the U.N. has warned that the number of displaced residents fleeing the fighting is subject to increase, especially as the humanitarian and security situations continue to deteriorate.

Presenter, Male #1
Joining us from Damascus is Amero Khalifa, a Somali political analyst. Mr. Amero, will the sound of gunfire prevail in Somalia?

Guest, Male #4 (Khalifa)
To be honest, “yes.” It seems that the sound of gunfire will prevail in Mogadishu due to the fact that the opposition was able to seize control of large areas surrounding the capital. The opposition seized control of the area of Baidoa north of Mogadishu and the city of Kasma’a; south of the capital. Yes, I think the sound of gunfire will ultimately dominate the spectrum, especially after the opposition seized control of most areas surrounding Mogadishu. In addition, the opposition has seized control of parts of Mogadishu, especially south of the capital. The latest clashes erupted in the area of Tirbun, an area south of Mogadishu that was used as a buffer zone between the government forces and the opposition. Tirbun, which is an open area, was used by the former Somali regime for military displays, on February 21st of each year. The area witnessed clashes between the government forces and armed opposition groups. Unfortunately, several civilians were killed in the clashes. All of the victims were civilians.

Presenter, Male #1
The Somali Security Minister and the Somali ambassador to Ethiopia were killed in a booby-trapped car that exploded in a hotel in the Somali city, Baladwin, during their stay at the hotel. The Shabab Mujahedeen movement has taken responsibility for the attack via a phone call to an Al Jazeera correspondent. Amidst this atmosphere, the president of Somalia asked the international community and the Somali people to help counter, what he called the “terrorists”, who carried out the operation in Baladwin. He said that those who killed the security minister and the ambassador do not want Somalia to have a country nor stability.

Guest, Male #2 (Somali President)
I would like to offer my condolences to the Somali people and the family of the nationalist security minister, Omar Hashi, and our ambassador Abdul Kareem who were killed this morning in an explosive attack by the enemy in Baladwin. We ask God to have mercy on them as we offer our condolences to our people who are facing death. This country has been attacked by terrorists who don’t want a Somali state, or a Somali flag or stability for the country. We ask the international community and the Somali people to help us counter these terrorists who are carrying out foreign agendas.

Presenter, Female #1
Abdul Qader in Somalia. We remain on the subject of Somalia where religious men begin a major effort to convince the pirates to stop their prohibited activities. The religious men are exerting these efforts due to rising resentment among Somali's about the negative effects of pirating on their country.

Presenter, Male #1
Despite the success of these efforts, the squalid conditions of Somalia do not leave the youth any opportunity except to join in piracy in search of a source of income.

Reporter, Male # 3
In search of “the right way”, this is what the religious men along with many of the tribal leaders are trying to do regarding piracy. In the opinion of preachers and guides, dialogue is the only weapon to counter the growing profession of piracy overlooking the Somali shores. ”What you are doing is wrong”: This is how the sheikh began his discussion with the pirates. The religious men insist on convincing the pirates to abandon their prohibited activities. Even at this moment they don’t seem to have lost hope. The lecture of religious men ended with the pirates accepting the Sheikhs guidance, among them, Abshar Buya, one of the most well known pirate leaders who is responsible for more than 20 hijackings, one of them being the Saudi tanker “Sirus Star”. However it seems that the religious men are not the only ones that have impacted the pirates.

Guest Male #4
Nobody is accepting money from me. Even my mom! She refuses to pray in my house, saying that my money is shameful.

Reporter, Male #3
As time passes, the number of people being hurt by piracy grows. This man is a fisherman and he was forced to close his factory where 1,500 laborers worked under the threat of international fleets that no longer differentiate between his boats and pirate boats, in addition to another development.

Guest, Male #5
Recently, piracy has become profitable. Many fishermen have left their profession and have joined the pirates. I can’t pay the amount of money that they do.

Reporter, Male #3
In search of security, Ali Hasan decided to move his boats to the city of Bosasu where the situation seems more stable. The efforts of the religious men are invaluable. However, one thing is for sure: opposite of him there are dozens of frustrated Somali’s searching for a lifeline, even if the lifeline is piracy.

Presenter, Female #1
The top U.S. Commander in Iraq said that his forces remain committed to handing over all military bases to the Iraqi army, as provided for in the U.S.-Iraqi security agreement. The U.S. military said that the process is going well, reporting no problems.

Presenter, Male #1
Meanwhile, a joint press conference was held by Iraqi government spokesman, Ali al-Dabbagh, Iraq’s Ministers of Defense and Interior, as well as the top U.S. Commander, General Ray Odierno. Odierno said that since last January, 30,000 U.S. troops have withdrawn from Iraq, in addition to the handing over of nearly 140 American bases to the Iraqi forces.

Reporter, Male #2
The official spokesman for the Iraqi government, Ali al-Dabbagh, along with the Ministers of Defense and Interior, held a joint conference with the head of the Multinational Forces in Iraq, General Ray Odierno. The leaders said they remain committed to implementing all articles of the U.S.-Iraq security agreement. They also confirmed that the U.S. combat forces will withdraw from Iraqi cities and urban areas by the end of this month.

Guest, Male #3 (al-Dabbagh)
The Iraqi government hereby announces that it will use all privileges granted to it by the constitution and the legal system. We will defend the country’s national security against any groups or individuals trying to violate the law and disrupt public order. Some are trying to disrupt security in order to destabilize the nation. They are doing so by launching desperate terrorist attacks and carrying out cowardly assassination attempts.

Reporter, Male #2
Meanwhile, the top U.S. commander in Iraq, General Ray Odierno, said that his forces remain committed to pulling back all combat troops from Iraqi cities by the end of this month. Odierno further said that 30,000 U.S. troops have withdrawn from Iraq since last January, in addition to the handing over of nearly 140 American bases to the Iraqi forces. The U.S. Commander said that the withdrawal will be completed within the next two years.

Guest, Male #4 (Odierno)
The withdrawal timetable for U.S. forces in Iraq is on schedule. We firmly believe in the capabilities and abilities of the Iraqi security forces. They are ready to take over security operations after the withdrawal of our forces from Iraqi cities.

Reporter, Male #2
In a premeditated move aimed at ensuring the success of the withdrawal process, the Iraqi Ministers of Interior and Defense announced that their security agencies are ready to assume security responsibilities in all Iraqi cities. After launching the appropriate security plans.

Guest, Male #5
We are ready to assume security control. We are working in conjunction with the various security agencies and military command centers. The operation will be coordinated by the various security forces, including agencies from the Ministries of Defense and Interior, National Guards, and counterterrorism units….In addition to the participation of the multinational forces.

Guest, Male #6
This does not mean the end of security problems. To be clear, we are dealing with criminal gangs, terrorist groups, and militias. Having said that, the Iraqi security forces are becoming capable and ready to counter these threats and challenges.

Reporter, Male #2
The Iraqi government has allocated 100 million dollars to cover the cost of holding a public referendum over the security agreement. If the withdrawal process continues as planned, the sun will rise on January 1, 2010, bringing sovereignty to Iraq. Qais al-Murshid, Iraqiya, Baghdad.

Presenter, Man # 1
A number of countries and civic organizations represented at the Human Rights Council in Geneva expressed their support of Sudan. This comes amidst intensive talks about extending the mission’s special commissioner on human rights term in Sudan again.

Reporter, Man # 2
There are intensive diplomatic efforts being made at the human rights council to change some members’ views regarding extending the mission of the special human rights commissioner in Sudan. European countries are trying to extend the mission of the special commissioner; but African countries do NOT believe that this justifiable.

Guest, Man # 3
I do not think that Sudan needs a special commissioner. Sudan is an independent and sovereign country and it can manage its affairs by itself. Sudan is not under occupation and I do not think it needs a special commissioner. I think that Sudan needs to amend its strategic defense in dealing with Western countries.

Reporter, Man # 2
Some non-governmental organizations which defend human rights believe that the UN mission to Sudan is already monitoring human rights there.

Guest, Man # 4
The UN mission in Sudan already submits an annual report to the general assembly and it should also submit a report to the Human Rights Council. This is why the Special commissioner usually visits Sudan once a year, while the UN sends permanent missions there. The UN also has more than one person to perform these tasks. The UN has at least 20 people working on human rights issues. The permanent presence there gives the UN mission the ability to see the reality more accurately.

Reporter, Man # 2
Some think that the situation in Sudan is positive and that there is no need for international observers.

Guest, Man # 5
We believe that the situation in Sudan is positive because three requirements for peace have been met. We have peace, sustainable development and justice. Everyone must act in a constructive manner without pre conceived notions. However, one must also not take lightly what can happen to the people in Darfur.

Reporter, Man # 2
Voting on the two African daft resolutions that support Sudan’s position as well as the European draft resolution demanding an extension to the mission of the special commissioner are now likely to pass.

Guest, Man # 6
Sudan’s position not to extend the mission of the special commissioner is supported by African and Asian countries, as well as other countries that have similar views. Perhaps we will vote on the resolution pertaining to extending or not extending the mission of the special commissioner tonight. This is still an option.

Reporter, Man # 2
The mission of the special commissioner on human rights in Sudan is creating controversy in the Human Rights Council. Taha Yosef Hasan, Human rights Council, Geneva.